To report family members for benefit fraud

[Blueberrymuffint0p]

Suspected benefit fraud I should say.

My cousin and his wife have 5 children. I know nothing about their financial situation ie.if they're struggling, in debt etc. cousin works full time, cousin in law is a part time self employed beautician.

12 months ago they announced they were having a trial separation. Cousin moved in with his mum (my auntie) He spent all his time at the family home but used aunts house to sleep in. This started to tail off about 6 months ago when he'd only sleep at aunts house about twice a week.

A couple of weeks ago he drops into conversation that they think the house is being 'watched' he hints at social services (they've had dealings with the family before). Suddenly he's back to sleeping at my aunts every night again.

They seem to be, in every other way a normal couple. They spend weekends together, nights out etc. It seems pretty obvious that they're on the fiddle and it's hard working people like my husband and I who are picking up the bill not to mention the pressure on my elderly aunt who's worried sick about her son. She doesn't know if the marriage is on the rocks and is washing his clothes, cooking meals etc. When asked directly he mumbles about things being 'complicated'

I don't know what to make of it. Should I keep out of it or make a phone call?

Jenny, it's too lengthy to explain on here. Just take my word for it that it's clear as day they're fiddling the system

Renders the thread a bit pointless doesn't it?

What have social services got to do with benefits anyway?

Report your suspicians, if you are wrong then they won't have any problems will they! How can people say its no one else's business, of course it is if they are potentially stealing tax payers money!!!

Exactly sammy, it's the family element that's stopped me picking up the phone already. I think it's seen as a victimless crime but it's hard working people who are picking up the tab!

What would happen if they were caught and found guilty? I don't want them to be punished, I just want them to stop doing it!

What would happen if they were caught and found guilty? I don't want them to be punished, I just want them to stop doing it!

Do you not read newspapers? Prison sentences are not unusual in benefit fraud cases. If you are sure they are doing it and you just want them to stop have you condisered just saying so?

That's another thing that pisses me off "go after the bankers" now I'm not saying the very rich should be protected far from it. But the idea that if your financial crime is lesser than a bankers it doesn't matter is daft.

Do we let people get away with gbh because we should just spend our time locking up murders?

Hard working people?

Is that you, Mr Milliband?

Exactly, fidel. There are far too many gaps in this made up story for anyone to be able to give proper advice.

Report them - it's anonymous.

I don't get the attitude that you're better to turn the other cheek because it doesn't affect you. 1)Fraud does affect us all, and 2)if you knew your neighbours were being burgled would you ignore it because it doesn't affect you directly?

Disclaimer - that doesn't mean that I think that the bankers and other tax evaders should be getting away with murder. Start a thread about that and I'll post to that effect.

This comes up time and time again. The only reason to post a load of bollocks this is to goad.

Do report or not, FFS. Advance search the topic and plenty of virtually the same comments come up. Yawn.

Or you could steal their goat and the plug from the mahoosive Tv. That'll learn 'em.

Its pathetic, it really is.

Fide-of course the threads not pointless, im asking if you'd report a family member if you thought they were on a benfits fiddle. You don't need me to waffle on about the finer details of it, I'm typing on my phone-I can't be arsed, it's not very interesting! Social services have nothing to do with benefits.

Report your suspicians, if you are wrong then they won't have any problems will they!

Not necessarily true. People who are reported often have their money suspended pending investigation, even if they haven't done anything wrong. It can take months to be resolved.

You started of saying you suspect, then you say you are certain.

Which is it?

If you know, report it, without a doubt. It's not a victimless crime, all crime has consequences. They might need more evidence than they already have to stop it from happening, and your report could help stop this crime.

If you only suspect, then stay out of it.

I really can't see how this is a goady post though. People should be allowed to discuss benefits without being called goady and having goats brought into it. It's pathetic the way people trot out these words whenever benefits are mentioned. It's our system, and we are allowed to talk about it.

Orright usual

So why all the stuff in the OP that he thinks soc serv are watching the house? What's the relevance?

And if you don't want them punished and only want them to stop why would even consider reporting them?

All very odd.

Why do u sound so bitter? U remind me of my mum. Always thinking I'm on the fiddling like I ain't struggling as it is. Always happens to the people sitting on the bottom of the pile of s**t. Being thought of wrong doing. What about the top enders with their billions of pounds in their bank account but steal avoid taxes everyday. But no one says nothing about it no shows being made about them being tax avoiders. People always pick on the most vulnerable people that can't do nothing to defend themselves. Why why ooh why? Why don't you become fraud squad team on here with the people that have real passion for this crime and go after the people that are committing the real hard crimes. And you know who these people are the government for one! That where u should first start them once you gotten throw them come back to me and I'll give companies to go after like Starbucks who avoid paying taxes of over 15million pounds facts, then you got your celebrities who the public support and keep them in the limelight. What's your thoughts?

Report. It will be investigated and either proven, Or not proven.

OP you need to think what you want the outcome to be if you report. The likelihood is it will be the wife who will be in the firing line, presuming she is claiming as a lone parent since your cousin is now living at his mums. He will still be getting his meals cooked every night and she may find herself being investigated and losing her income with 5 children to provide for. If that gives you a nice fuzzy feeling then go for it.

It's pure shite. All of it

It's been a really long day, im knackered. I can't be bothered to go into it all. I was really just after yes or no's as to whether people would report it. I guess I should have posted in a different section.

Anyway, I'm going to stay out of it. They'll get caught out eventually.

What an efficient idea usual

Thanks for your reply basgetti, it's helped to put things in perspective.

It is not discussing benefits though is it? She thinks, she knows or whatever. They are fiddling, they aren't. Social services may be watching, they may not. The elderly aunt is distressed. No wonder with a niece like her.

She may have a goat or a Tv or not. Who knows who fucking cares.

Return or be done with it.